Sports of Boston » Ryan Anderson

Pierce and Bradley Carry Celtics Past Magic, Clinch Fifth Straight Atlantic Title

Matt Goisman — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:42:51 +0000

Paul Pierce might be nearing the finish line of a career that will end in the Hall of Fame and a spot in the TD Garden rafters. But if these are Pierce’s last games, The Truth wants to go out in style.

Pierce scored a game-high 29 points and recorded a career-best 14 assists, carrying the Boston Celtics to a 102-98 victory over the Orlando Magic and their fifth consecutive Atlantic Division title Wednesday night at the TD Garden. Avery Bradley backed up Pierce with 23 points, tying his career-high.

With home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs locked up, the short-handed Celtics can now focus on rest and recovery. Ray Allen hasn’t played in over a week, and Rajon Rondo sat Wednesday with a lower back injury.

Pierce Holds Back Magic in Fourth

Up 79-70 heading into the fourth quarter, Boston built their lead as high as 13, but a combination of outside shooting by Jameer Nelson (21 points, 3-for-6 from downtown) and dominating play inside (54 points in the paint, 17 offensive rebounds without Dwight Howard) kept Orlando in the game. Orlando cut Boston’s lead to 92-90 with three minutes left before Pierce drew a foul and sank one of two.

A Glen Davis (27 points) steal and sprint to the basket – how many times has that ever been written? – made it 98-96 Celtics, setting up the play of the game. Pierce – who split ball-handling duties with Bradley Wednesday – brought the ball to the three-point line, nearly slipping and losing control of the ball.

With the shot-clock winding down, Pierce regained control and penetrated to just outside the foul line, hitting a 17-foot step-back jumper with 7.6 seconds left in the game. He also sank two free throws in the final seconds to maintain the two-possession lead.

Stiemsma Keys Third-Quarter Run

The Celtics entered the final minutes of the third quarter holding a miniscule 71-70 lead, having failed repeatedly to secure defensive rebounds or challenge the Magic inside. The Celtics settled for too many one-and-done jump-shots, and their offense stagnated.

But when Greg Stiemsma blocked forward Earl Clark‘s jumper with 1:13 left, the Celtics regained the momentum that had helped them build an 11-point first-half lead. Pierce scored an and-1 bucket to push the Celtics’ lead back up to four, then Stiemsma blocked his second shot in 30 seconds. He finished with four blocks – more than the entire Magic team.

Brandon Bass (21 points) drew a foul on the ensuing possession and sank both free throws (the Celtics went 23-for-27 at the line Wednesday), then Stiemsma fought his way through traffic to secure a rare Celtics rebound on the other end.

Pierce then found Bass for a 20-footer, at which point Orlando’s emotions boiled over and Ryan Anderson – another player blocked by Stiemsma – earned a technical foul. Pierce sank it to give the Celtics a nine-point lead entering the fourth that the Magic never overcame.

Garnett Excellent From Outside, Pavlovic Awful From Everywhere

Much has been asked of Kevin Garnett this season, between the concentrated schedule and the lack of a true, NBA-ready center on the team. And while Garnett couldn’t hang with Davis from the post or push the Magic around beneath the basket, he still contributed 15 points Wednesday. His 6-for-15 shooting might’ve trailed the Celtics’ 54.3 percent shooting Wednesday, but his baskets all came at key moments.

Garnett’s alley-oop bucket from Pierce put the Celtics up 9-6 early in the first. He finished the opening quarter with back-to-back long-range two-pointers, both times benefiting from great ball movement and solid passing from Pierce.

The Celtics ended the first on a 10-2 run, with Garnett scoring four. He followed that up with two free throws to begin the Celtics’ second-quarter scoring, and in the fourth hit two mid-range jumpers to make it 83-71 Celtics.

Double-digit scoring nights from Garnett, Bass, Bradley and Pierce (who averaged 35.5 minutes apiece on the second night of a back-to-back) helped the Celtics overcome a useless start from Sasha Pavlovic. In 24 minutes sure to have Doc Rivers looking over Maine Red Claws stats, Pavlovic scored no points, turned the ball over twice and committed three fouls.

Pavlovic managed three rebounds and a block, but compare that to E’Twaun Moore and Marquis Daniels (who apparently is still alive): in 26 minutes between them, they scored nine, grabbed three boards, dished three assists and didn’t turn the ball over once.

Could someone please comment below and explain how Pavlovic still has a job? Sports of Boston knows basketball pretty well, and we honestly have no idea.

Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Week 1

Pete Rampino — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:06:24 +0000

Week 1 is in the books. There is no better feeling (in the fantasy realm anyways) than the first week of a fantasy sport. I myself was at a friend’s birthday celebration at a sports bar on Friday night. Instead of paying attention to the festivities around me, I had my eyes glued on one of the televisions just to watch the scores scroll by the bottom of the screen. Hey, birthday’s come and go, but Chris Bosh was in the midst of a 37-12 game. Clearly, I had my priorities straight.

Injuries

Vince Carter (SG, SF), Orlando Magic

Vinsanity left Friday’s game after suffering a sprained ankle. He was warming up, hoping to play Sunday, but experienced too much pain. He hopes to play Tuesday against Detroit.

Devin Harris (PG), New Jersey Nets

Harris will be out of action for at least a week with a sore groin. He originally injured it in a preseason game, and the pain is bad enough that he has chosen to sit out a few games. Rafer Alston replaced Harris on Saturday and came away with 20 pts, eight assists, and three 3PTM.

LaMarcus Aldridge (PF, C), Portland Trail Blazers

Aldridge left Sunday’s game against the Thunder after banging knees with Oklahoma City’s Jeff Green. Aldridge did not return and was diagnosed with a bone bruise on his knee. Consider him day-to-day.

Best Players of the Week

Point Guard

Louis Williams (PG, SG), Philadelphia 76ers

Williams’ first stint as a starting point guard is leading to a huge season. In three games, he shot an absurd 63.6% from the field which led to 20.3 points. He capped it all of by averaging 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals.

Honorable Mention: Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets (23.0 points, 6.7 assists. 2.7 3PTM)

Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant (SG), L.A. Lakers

Bryant was second in the league in scoring with 31.7 points (boosted from his 41 points against Atlanta). His 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals just shows why you spent a top-4 pick on him in your draft.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers (27.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.0 3PTM)

Small Forward

Carmelo Anthony (SF), Denver Nuggets

Anthony is the leading scorer in the NBA with 37.7 points. His incredible week has included back-to back 40+ point games with a 53.6 FG%. He filled up the rest of the stat sheet with 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals.

Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (58.3 FG%, 21.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 3PTM)

Power Forward

Chris Bosh (PF, C), Toronto Raptors

Bosh led all power forwards in points (31.0) and rebounds (14.7) while shooting a respectable 46.8% from the field. As an unexpected bonus, Bosh has started dropping 1.0 3PTM per game.

Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (26.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 3PTM)

Center

Dwight Howard (C), Orlando Magic

Whatever, you’re expecting a crappy FT% (63.6), so don’t act surprised. Just praise Howard for his 21.7 points and 16.0 rebounds. Don’t forget the 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks as well.

Honorable Mention: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies (20.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks)

You Could Have Done Better

Point Guard

Jason Kidd (PG), Dallas Mavericks

We all know Kidd is a stat sheet filler and won’t set the world on fire with his points. That being said, his 3.0 points and 25.0 FG% were horrendous. His other numbers (9.0 assists and 2.0 steals) show that he is better suited for real life glory and not fantasy stardom.

Honorable Mention: Andre Miller, Portland Trail Blazers (34.3 FG%, 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds)

Shooting Guard

John Salmons (SG, SF), Chicago Bulls

After Ben Gordon’s departure, everyone thought Salmons would step it up as a starter. Hopefully this past week isn’t an indication of his future as he shot just 27.9% fro the field, averaging only 11.7 points.

Honorable Mention: Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks (32.0 FG%, 13.0 points, will miss two weeks with knee injury)

Small Forward

Caron Butler (SG, SF), Washington Wizards

A bruised knee caused him to miss Saturday’s game. Before that, Butler was shooting 36.4% with 10.5 points, 1.0 assists, and 0.5 steals. He hopes to return Tuesday.

Honorable Mention: Richard Jefferson, San Antonio Spurs (11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 68.8 FT%)

Power Forward

Charlie Villanueva (SF, PF), Detroit Pistons

The new face in Detroit has been hampered by a sore hamstring and is shooting an ice cold 37.0% which has led to 9.0 points. His rebounds and assists have also taken a hit since last season.

Honorable Mention: LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers (13.3 points, 0.3 steals, 0.5 blocks)

Center

Al Jefferson (PF, C), Minnesota Timberwolves

Big Al seems to be easing back into playing time after last year’s ACL surgery. It has effected his stats as he has put up an uncharacteristic 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds on a dismal 34.8 FG%.

Honorable Mention: Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers (9.0 points, carrer-low 47.2 FG%)

Players to Pick Up

Channing Frye (PF, C), Phoenix Suns

Frye has been sizzling lately thanks in large part to his ability to sink three’s. Frye is averaging 19.7 points on 58.3% shooting. He sunk a ridiculous 13 3PTM last week with six in each of his last two games. He is playing 32 minutes per game, so ride him while he is hot.

Andray Blatche (PF, C), Washington Wizards

Hey, someone has to fill in for Antawn Jamison. Blatche shot 71.8% from the field last week with 21.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. Jamison won’t be back for at least 3-5 weeks, so grab Blatche if you can.

Grant Hill (SG, SF), Phoenix Suns

Hill, despite his age, is putting up huge numbers. He is averaging almost a double-double with 20.0 points and 9.7 rebounds. The percentages are extremely good as he is shooting 52.3% with a 92.3 FT%.

Ryan Anderson (PF, C), Orlando Magic

He’s starting, and making the most of it. Anderson is scoring well with 17.3 points and is giving you valuable 3PTM with 3.7 per game. Not to mention, he isn’t killing you with FG% (52.9) or FT% (83.3).

Kelenna Azubuike (SG, SF), Golden State Warriors

Making the best out his new role as a bench player, Azubuike has been averaging a respectable 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in his limited role. He is getting you 1.5 3PTM while shooting 61.9%.

Sports of Boston Basketball League

I start the season off on a good note with a 5-4 victory over SoB’s Teddy. I couldn’t keep up with Teddy’s absurd 47 three pointers.
SoB’s Ty has taken a temporary hold of first place after his 7-1-1 victory.
Recent pickups include: Ryan Gomes, Danilo Gallinari, Kenyon Martin, and Brandon Jennings.